and so this is Christmas

as the late great John Lennon would muse.

Just wanted to take a moment on this Christmas Morn to wish any and all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy 2008 , the Year of the Gorilla and Sweater Nite X .

Peace.

Series 7

Thanks to all the well wishers on my passing of my series 7 exam , full drink ahead now that I have a license to steal.

box of rain revisited

this was posted on the blog back in sep 06, but as were bear down on Christmas 07 I thought it would be apropriate once more.
thoughts on box of rain

one of the more beautiful songs in the dead repertoire, happy, sad, thought provoking, all at the same time depending on the listener. I do know that Phil used to sing the lyrics to his dying father in the hospital. the last line is the one that has always stopped me in my tracks......"such a long, long time to be gone and a short time to be there" .....stop and think about it.....when we are gone, we are going to "be gone" for a long long time........and our time spent here on earth in comparison is soooo short.......we all have someone close to us who has "been gone" for a long, long time.....and when you try to remember that person........it seems like they were here for such a short time............. we are mere specs on the portrait on the universe, and yet we tend to obsess about every second, hour, day , week, month of our lives...........it's such a short time to be here............but such a long, long time to be gone.......I think we should probably spend more time obsessing about finding a nice place to spend that eternity, that long long time that is to come, and less time obsessing about short days spent here on earth......just a thought.

posted by tomcat | 10:12 AM | 0 comments

lyrics of the day "Box of Rain"

"Box of Rain"Words by Robert Hunter; music by Phil LeshCopyright Ice Nine Publishing; used by permission.

Look out of any window any morning, any evening, any day
Maybe the sun is shining birds are winging or rain is falling from a heavy sky -
What do you want me to do,to do for you to see you through?
this is all a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago

Walk out of any doorwayfeel your way, feel your waylike the day before
Maybe you'll find direction around some corner where it's been waiting to meet you
-What do you want me to do,to watch for you while you're sleeping?
Well please don't be surprisedwhen you find me dreaming too

Look into any eyes you find by you, you can see clear through to another day
I know it's been seen before through other eyes on other days while going home
--What do you want me to do, to do for you to see you through?
It's all a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago

Walk into splintered sunlight
Inch your way through dead dreams to another land
Maybe you're tired and broken
Your tongue is twisted with words half spoken and thoughts unclear
What do you want me to do to do for you to see you through

A a box of rain will ease the pain and love will see you through

Just a box of rain -
wind and water -
Believe it if you need it,
if you don't just pass it on
Sun and shower -Wind and rain -
in and out the window
like a moth before a flame

It's just a box of rainI don't know who put it there
Believe it if you need it or leave it if you dare
But it's just a box of rain or a ribbon for your hair
Such a long long time to be gone and a short time to be there

posted by tomcat | 9:57 AM | 0 comments

ROAD TRIP

No Not Montreaux ,

it is a mere 708 Days before the Dawgs of Georgia come back into Buckhead to take on Coach Johnsons' Jacketts.......yes they do play at Georgia in 08 , but WE want to go to a Ramblin Wreck home game......I will start taking a head count after Sweater Nite to see who wants to go....I predict that a berth in the BCS Title Game will be on the line when Goergia and Georgia Tech meet on that glorious Saturday. Tech will be working on a perfect season, ACC title game already locked up, leading the nation in total offense......the Dawgs and Knowshawn Moreno will looking towards their SEC title game... Steve Buerro is already planning the menu for us, and Tom Mclaren is anxiuosly awaiting our arrival... so clear your plate for 2009 and logon to purchase your GA Tech gear now......it's never too early to stat planning.

MONTREAL April 18 2008 for Steve is a GO .......who took home the secret geust list from the Molly Wee on Thursday ??

damn utes

well the 8 1/2 point dog Squids of the Naval Academy fell short in the Poinsetta Bowl, but if your a gamblin man you covered your wager just the same......and now we turn our attention to the basketball team. Navy invades Remsen Street one week from today when they take on the Terriers of St Francis.....be there or be square.

pay attention

If you are lucky enough this day to tune into a few moments of the Navy-Army game, pay close attention to the expressions of the students and players on both sides. I challenge you to find someone amongst them not charged with life, exhuberance and Joy........considering what lies ahead for them in the coming years, that is amazing. As we trudge through life , bitching about the train and our mundane jobs and the God Awful weather and damm cable company......maybe we should think about these Men and Women and ask ourselves if we would trade places with any of them.....if the answer is no, then I suppose we don't have it so bad.........Go Navy....Go Army Too.....and Vayos con Dios to all of them.

onward to Victory....first landing boat hits the Steak Exchange at 11:37 this morning......be on it!

From Gods lips to our ears

Stand Navy out to sea, Fight our Battle Cry;
We'll never change our course, So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y.
Roll out the TNT, Anchors Aweigh. Sail on to Victory
And sink their bones to Davy Jones, Hooray!

Anchors Away, my boys, Anchors Aweigh.
Farewell to foreign shores,
We sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night on shore, Drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more.
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.

Blue of the Mighty Deep; Gold of God's Sun
Let these colors be till all of time be done, done, done,
On seven seas we learn Navy's stern call:
Faith, Courage, Service true, with Honor, Over Honor, Over All.

-Words by CAPT Alfred H. Miles, USN, 1906.
Anchors Aweigh is not an official Navy song.






The Navy Hymn





Eternal Father, Strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee,
for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
and calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.


Words by Rev. William Whiting, 1861.

Save the Date

Sweater Nite 10 , A True Saturnalian Event will be held on Friday February 29th....a leap of faith.....HOWEVER.....this year due to popular demand, it is INVITE Only.....we are cutting off the dead wood, the fair weather friends will not even receive notice...the once a year on my terms phonies, will not be welcome this time around........Lace Up , Gear , and for Alabaster Larue's sake DRINK UP YOU CHOSEN FEW.

Time for some LUCE change

I am using this blog and this oppurtunity to announce that I am seeking the Presidency of the United States of America in 2008 . I think it is about time someone with my leadership qualities and array of real life experience took the top spot in the nation for a joy ride. More details , a formal press conference and my resume/bio sheet to follow in the coming weeks……for now I will leave you with my official slogan.

" Gato 4 el Presidente"



Oh Yeah........BARBARO's ghost is the frontrunner to be my running mate , although my Dog Gravey is expected to make her pitch for the coveted position real soon.

Dennis Zilinski American Hero

Dennis W. Zilinski, II was born on December 23, 1981. He is the son of Dennis W. and Marion R. Zilinski, grandson of Anna Zilinski, brother of Douglas and his wife ToniAnn, Arizona, Michele and her husband David, Arizona, Tiffany and her fiancé James, New Jersey and 2Lt. Matthew J. Zilinski, NJARNG, New Jersey. Dennis has four nephews and two nieces.



Dennis’ greatest loves were God, his family, country, friends, swimming and the United States Army. Dennis was a very willing person who would drop everything to help you. His trademark was his wonderful smile, always beaming.



Dennis grew up in Middletown, New Jersey a member of the Middletown Reformed Church and attended school at Middletown Village, Thorne Middle School and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft. He received his nomination to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 2004. He also completed Airborne School while a student at West Point.



Prior to attending college, Dennis was a swimmer with the Red Bank YMCA for many years, and continued to swim at Christian Brothers Academy. While attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, he was the Captain of the men’s team as a Firstie (Senior) and was awarded the Class of 1923 Memorial Award for Outstanding Member of Men’s Team and the Captain Michael W. Kilroy Memorial Award for the Captain of the Men’s Swim Team.



Upon completion of Officer Basic Course in Ft. Benning, GA, Dennis was accepted into Ranger School and graduated in March of 2005. Being awarded his Ranger “Tab” was probably his highest achievement as an Army officer. He was so proud of his accomplishment. Dennis truly lived by West Point’s motto of DUTY, HONOR, and COUNTRY, and stood behind the nation’s mission 100%, ready to serve and protect the freedoms so many citizens cherish. He also lived by the Army values of LOYATY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS-SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY, PERSONAL COURAGE.



After graduation from Ranger School, he was assigned to the 1/187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) “Rakkasan”. He deployed with the 101st Airborne Division on September 17, 2005. Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II died in Iraq on November 19, 2005 as a result of a roadside bombing near Bayji, 155 miles north of Baghdad. Lt. Zilinski’s medals include: Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Global War on Terror, Iraq Campaign Service Medal and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.



At the time of his death, Dennis was engaged to Lt. Marie Cicerelle, who is also stationed with the 101st Airborne Division and they planned to married upon their return from Iraq in 2006. Marie continues to serve in the Army.



In an act of love, the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Fund has been established by his friends and his family. The first Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski, II Memorial Run/Walk was held in November of 2006. The second Run/Walk will be held on November 11, 2007 at the PNC Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ. Proceeds of the run/walk will be utilized to continue to sponsor programs for injured soldiers and for scholarships to Dennis’ high school.

simple reflection

as was the case at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month....I took a momemt to reflect on the incredible sacrifice our Armed Services make on a daily basis....I hope all who read this taker a moment and say a quick prayer that they may never know the hell where joy and laughter go.

just in time for veterans day

How sad is this story, and yet the fiance does not feel sorry for herself....I fear the day America runds out of our supply of heros like this.

November 8, 2007 -- A New Jersey soldier who put off surgery in the United States to stay with his comrades in Iraq was killed Monday in a roadside bombing.

Sgt. John D. Linde of Union City died with three other soldiers in the western part of the country.

His grieving wife, Vilma, held back tears as she spoke of how much her husband "believed in the cause" he was fighting for.

He developed an ankle problem last summer and was offered surgery that would have kept him home for months.

"He was given the choice not to deploy but he chose to go back," she said. "He wanted to be there for his soldiers.

"He was my best friend" and a "great father" to their 8-year-old daughter, Victoria, Vilma said.

She had been looking forward to a June celebration of the 10th anniversary of her marriage to her high-school sweetheart.

When she last spoke with her husband, on Saturday, "We told each other that we loved each other. Thank God we were able to say, 'I love you.' "

Linde would have turned 31 on Sunday - Veterans Day.

PRIDE POWER KNOWLEDGE

JUBILATION !! the streak is dead.

On Saturday November 3rd 2007 the young men of the Naval Academy, future warriors of our nation, descended upon South Bend Indiana with a mission....enough was enough....the blood was in the water.....the time was ripe.....the streak must end.

It was fitting that it ended this way.......in South Bend.....instead of the MB&T Stadium in Balt , or the Meadowlands in NJ , or the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville or in Dublin Ireland....or any of the other cavernous stadiums around the world that ND Bullied the Navy into moving their home game....so the ND Alumni could attend in droves and ND could reap a larger % of the gate.

It was fitting that it ended this way.....a nail biter....a back and forth marathon of a game.....huge plays and multiple momentum swings.....triple overtime....two point conversions.....fake filed goals, missed extra points.....thrilling, thrilling game.....with a last second explosion of emotion when it was clear that we won....WE DID IT ......WE DID IT!!!!!!

It was fitting that "THIS" Team ended the streak......not teams in years past that were lead by spectacular individuals.....Mcconkey's early 80's, or Napolean MCcallums' team, or Kyle Eckells team or Roger Staubach class of 64 or anyone else......no it was the 2007 Navy Team...... and it was a team effort that got it done...every kid on that team played an important part in this win....no single player stood out from the rest....20 years from now they won't refer to this as Emoo Enchilida's sqaud....it will be the 2007 team that ended the streak....not one guy....and that is what NAVY football is all about......a team effort

it was fitting that I witnessed the game the way that I did.....in my yard...drinking cold beer on a cold day.....with Chaz Higgins and G Finn....no distractions.....no pests......no drunks in the Stk Xchange stealing our thunder....no secondary TV's showing highlights of the NBA or Ohio St previews....no jeks belitteling our accomplishment.....no juke box blaring Brittney Madonna or anything else.......no ...it was MY Yard....the US and the Naval Academy Flags were flying in the breeze.....the grill was on......My Neighbor and fellow squid Tim was hollering over the fence......between the third and fourth quarter we blarred Anchors Aweigh....and toasted the MIDS.......my Dog got to enjoy the festivities as well.

It was fitting.....and as i write this on Sunday Morning I have chills on my spine and a tear in my eye....and like the 2007 team....I will take this Victory with me the rest of my Life.

God Bless the United States of America....and God Bless the US NAVY.

USS Cole

while we are at it, let's not forget the 38 Men the USS Stark ( sister ship to the USS Luce ) that were killed in 1987..........thanks to K Mac for sending the below reminder on the Cole.

Let us remember the 17 Sailors killed in this terrorist attack, the dozens wounded, the survivors, and the families affected.

Today, Oct. 12, marks the seventh anniversary of the bombing of the USS Cole.

Seventeen American sailors were murdered in the attack. They were casualties of a war with radical Islamic terror that America hadn't yet declared and which the mainstream media still refuses to acknowledge today.

Those sailors gathered their dead and wounded while watching the Yemenis celebrate the attack in view of the Cole for a couple of nights following the attack. They felt the U.S.S. Cole was their trophy.

Too many of us were blind in 2000 — unable or unwilling or simply too uninterested to connect such blood-stained dots as al Qaeda's 1993 World Trade Center bombing attack, the 1996 Khobar Tower bombings, the 1998 African embassy bombings, and the attack on the Cole. After Sept. 11, 2001, all of our eyes should have been pried wide open to the evils of Muslim extremism that exist among us in both organized and freelance form.

Beware as the liberal watchdogs in the national press, insist on clouding our vision.

The recent "Zawahiri Letter" only confirms what many of us have been saying for quite some time: Iraq is the central front in the War on Terror, and al Qaeda has committed to the battle; "the place for the greatest battle of Islam in this era." The conflicts in Chechnya, Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Bosnia, which he refers to as the "far-flung regions of the Islamic world" are secondary in al Qaeda's plans for the formation of the Islamist Caliphate. The real lever of power is in Iraq, Egypt and the Levant (Syria and Lebanon).

May our thoughts and prayers be with all those who fight the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan and defend freedom from these terrorist aggressors.
www.cole.navy.mil/

L.O.S.T.

if it is not bad enough that our president rigged the BRAC study to stick it to the Northeast and redeploy our Military Bases , like Ft Monmouth, to Maryland. now comes word that the bushleague administration is ready to approve the LOST , Law of the Sea Treaty , that will give the United Nations control of all international waters.....also known as 70% of the globe. The UN will then insist that anyone can go anywhere for peaceful purposes.....who decides what is a peaceful purpose? the UN, that's who......they will also charge a tax , or royalty fee for anyone that wants to drill for oil in international waters.........can't you see the day the Iranians and Russians are setting up drilling platforms off hte Coney Island coast , and we loose the right to sail unto the Persian Gulf...........the once proud Navy that I served in under the great Ronald Reagen reached a goal of a 600 Ship Navy, the largest "peacetime" Naval force in the history of the EARTH......Today ? 292 active ships.........wake up friends, call Sen Biden, Call our lame duck president and insist that we turn a thumbs down to the LOST......before it's too late. ( see article below for specifics)....this pathetic treat was originally drawn up under Jimmy carter....shocker.....and immediately rejected under Reagen.

some Americans Still get it.

not everyone is Rutgers scm.

September 19, 2007 -- ARMY senior fullback Mike Viti knows he has a full plate. In fact, he was so concerned about taking on too much responsibility, he sought out the counsel of a West Point great, Pete Dawkins.

Dawkins, a former Heisman Trophy winner and Rhodes Scholar, told Viti he should try to be all he can be. Mission accomplished.

Viti is a team captain and one of just four regimental commanders at West Point. He told The Post because of football practices, games and travel, his regimental commander duties (he oversees eight companies and two battalions) and an 18-credit course load (“It’s the first time I haven’t taken at least 20 credits,’’ Viti said), he’s getting about four hours of sleep per night.

The heavy workload hasn’t affected Viti’s play. He has scored a touchdown in each of the past two games for Army (1-2), including a 3-yard run for a TD in Saturday’s 21-10 loss to Wake Forest.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Viti’s success is that he wasn’t born into a military household and initially didn’t see himself attending a service academy, much less become one of its leaders.

Both of his grandfathers fought in the Korean War, but his dad didn’t serve. Viti, from Berwick, Pa., was considering Villanova and Penn State. Then came the day that changed the world, certainly Viti’s: Sept. 11, 2001.

“I was in my world history class in high school my sophomore year and one of the teachers walked in and said there had been an accident,’’ Viti said. “I remember watching the second plane go into the tower and you knew then it was no accident.

“Then we heard about the plane hitting the Pentagon and the one that went down in Pennsylvania. I felt like my home was in the center of a triangle - New York, Washington and Shanksville. By the end of my junior year I made an unofficial visit to West Point and I knew then that this was the only place for me.’’

The American public has become all too familiar with the Triangle of Death, the region outside of Baghdad that has become the horrific area where so many servicemen have lost their lives or been injured. Viti knows he has committed to a life of service, and he has no reservations.

*

Navy Times article

the below article appeared in the Navy Times.....hence I will gladly await the day the SCUM of Rutgers gets theirs......and they will.

The president of Rutgers University apologized Tuesday to Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler after Rutgers University fans serenaded Navy football players and fans with profane jeers during much of a 41-24 win by the nationally ranked Scarlet Knights on Sept. 7.

Bill Squires, a 1975 Naval Academy graduate who serves as a Naval Academy recruiting coordinator in New Jersey, was at the game. He said he first heard the abuse in the second quarter when a section of about 60 drunken students began screaming at a small group of midshipmen who sat in an adjoining section.

“All the sudden I hear this ‘F--- you, Navy, f--- you, Navy’ chanting for like 45 seconds,” he said, adding that Navy fans and football players ignored the hard words, but the Navy band did not. It struck up “Anchors Aweigh,” drowning out the hecklers.

Later, when he and a Navy lieutenant stationed at the Naval Academy walked to a stadium bathroom, Squires said a drunken Rutgers fan confronted them in the doorway, screaming more profanity at them about how badly Navy was losing.

And when Midshipman Reggie Campbell, a 168-pound slot back, was tackled returning a kickoff, “showing all the heart and desire that the Navy team stands for” against the larger Rutgers players, according to Squires, the same group of fans jeered and cursed him, chanting “you got f---ed up” in unison as he walked from the field.

Squires, who has run Yankee Stadium, Giants Stadium and the Cleveland Browns’ stadium during a long career in sports management, said he was no stranger to the antics of obnoxious fans.

“I am very attuned to fan misbehavior, and I have seen some pretty bad things in my day,” he said. “This is one of the worst. It’s in the top 3.”

Rutgers officials apparently agreed.

“No student athlete should ever be subject to profane language directed at them from the crowd, and certainly not the young men of the Naval Academy who have made a commitment to serve our nation in a time of war,” university President Richard McCormick wrote in an open letter to Fowler and the Rutgers student body. “Your midshipmen conducted themselves with dignity throughout the game and have my admiration.”

Naval Academy athletic department spokesman Scott Strasemeir said he was aware of the incident but declined to comment, other than to say that there had been communication between officials at both schools about it and that the Navy athletic department considered the matter closed.

“How anybody can root against a service academy when [graduates] are going to be asked to put their lives on the line, I don’t know how you can do that.” Squires said. “It goes to show you the social changes taking place in our country. It’s not just Rutgers. It’s elsewhere throughout this country. But it wasn’t more plain and visible than what I saw Friday night.”

Squires said that older Rutgers fans showed more respect for the Navy team.

“They weren’t 100 percent jerks. It was really the students. It was young kids who don’t seem to get it,” he said, contrasting the Rutgers’ fans actions with the midshipmen who were there.

“I was so proud of the midshipmen because there was no reaction from them,” Squires said. “They took it. They stood tall. They did what they were taught to do. I am not sure, if I was 30 years younger in my white uniform, I wouldn’t have reacted differently.”

record # of hits on Sweater Nite Blog

the royalties are rolling in.....thanks to a flurry of activity on this blog....keep up the good work............update....Collins bar-b-q a big hit....lots of friendly familiar faces

Baffert is BACK

hold the epitath, Mr baffert is back in business. The greatest trainer of our era is back with a vengance. Having shifted operations from the Polytrack surfaces of Del mar, to the pristine racing grounds of the SPA , he is winning once again. From "maimomedes" to "more happy" he is brininging along the juveniles and should be a force at the breeders and next years run for the roses.

267 hours

just 267 hours until kickoff of the Navy VS Rutgers game.......go squids......

Chuck ? when should I start icing down beer?

sad passing of another CHAMPION

Just heard the news of the demise of my namesake...another Champion gone...God Bless...rest in peace CHAMP

Gato del Sol, the winner of the 1982 Kentucky Derby, was euthanized on Tuesday at Stone Farm outside of Paris, Ky., according to a report on the Blood-Horse website. Gato del Sol was 28 and the oldest Kentucky Derby winner.

"He was getting old, and he started to go downhill," Arthur Hancock, the owner of Stone Farm and a co-breeder of the gray horse, told the Blood-Horse. "It was just time, and we figured it was the humane thing to do."

Officials reached at Stone Farm late on Wednesday declined to comment. Both Hancock and his wife, Staci, could not be reached.

Gato del Sol was retired to stud at the end of his 6-year-old year to Stone Farm, where he was foaled. The horse was bred by Hancock and Leone J. Peters, and was the first horse bred by a Hancock family member to win the Derby. Arthur Hancock is a member of the fourth generation of Hancocks to breed horses.

Trained by Eddie Gregson in California, Gato del Sol won the 1982 Kentucky Derby at odds of 21-1. In a widely unpopular move in Maryland, Gregson decided to skip the Preakness Stakes, leading the Pimlico Race Course general manager, Chick Lang, to put a goat in the stall reserved for the Kentucky Derby winner. Gato del Sol did run in the Belmont Stakes, but he was beaten in the race by Conquistador Cielo.

When he retired to Stone Farm, Gato del Sol had won 7 of 39 starts and earned $1,340,107.

Gato del Sol did not have a particularly successful stud career, and in 1993 he was sold to a farm in Germany, though his career as a stallion did not improve in Europe. In 1999, Stone Farm re-acquired the horse after Staci Hancock learned that Exceller, a top handicap horse who had been sold to stud in Japan, had been killed in a Swedish slaughterhouse.

The Hancocks paid $5,500 to buy the horse, and spent $12,500 to ship him back to Stone Farm.

farewell Tour Diamond Jim Brady's

Diamond Jim Brady's 75 Maiden Lane :

Harkin back to the glory days of the late 80's early 90's. Waterhouse Securities Headquarters were in 44 Wall Street,With a back door exit from National Westminster bank that left you atop the Hill on William and Pine. Just a 90 second stroll down the hill to Maiden
Lane and the front door of Diamond Jim Brady's. We were incredibly busy in those days, so it was a rarity when we slipped out during hours for a tail.


Occasionally on a payday Friday Val and I would sneak over for a decent burger, and an extraordinary Pint. Sometimes after work we would slake the thirst in Diamond Jims before boarding the R train home. Strangest moment was when Hank Szala and I met at Diamond Jims at 6:30 A.M. on Flag Day 2002 for a World Cup match between the USA and Poland. The bar was open for Irish Breakfast and Packed, The game was on the big screen and every TV . We feasted on scrambled eggs and Guinness. ( USA lost to Poland, but advanced when Korea knocked off Portugal same day). Hank went to work after the game, I went to Hoboken and continued the ride….was hammered by noon , had lunch in Arthur's and caught the 2:12 back down the Shore to Lil Silver……remember it like it was yesterday……can't remember a Damm thing about yesterday.

I popped into Diamond Jims last week just have to a look around and remember.

farewell tour......O'Haras

O'Hara's : 120 cedar street

Mike O'Hara himself will greet you at the back bar when you make your grand entrance from Cedar street…..just a pebble kick from the backdoor of firehouse 10 10 on Liberty Street. ….a stones throw from the old blue fountain that sat in front of the Deutsche Bank building less we forget, and of course with that comes the entrance to the World Trade Center plaza and the South tower. A long narrow bar borders the south wall if you come in from the Washington Street entrance, but why would ya?
All the action occurs at the three sided rectangular bar in the aft of the establishment. Cold beer always, Mets baseball when applicable, decent food, reasonable prices. …I enjoyed this bar in the pre 9/11 days….occasionally making the trek from my Waterhouse desk. My visits picked up when I took up residence in Tower 1 while manning a desk for Instinet. And after a hiatus from lower Manhattan , I became an O'Hara's frequent flier when I joined Fidelity at 1 World Financial at 200 Liberty Street.

Turns out the owner and I have some mutual acquaintances , shocker , and I have done my best to reintroduce some old friends to this delightful watering hole….today being no exception, as we cheer on the Metropolitans as they take on the Phillies. The building took quite a hit in 2001 , and Mike has a photo album of shots to prove it, if you find yourself in their and like to view photos , ask him to let you see it, he will gladly oblige. ( there is huge photo of the bar and building covered in wreckage from the WTC taken just days after the attack.) I take pride in going to this bar, to me it is a symbol or a badge of courage for all the survivors…….you see O'Hara's too rose from the ashes of that day to live again.

God Bless ya Mike, keep serving them cold.

As a side note , our good friend Richie Betts , having just evacuated from the Deutsche Bank building, stopped into O'Hara's for a drink to calm his nerves, thankfully he and the other patrons and workers survived when the 102 story building around the corner collapsed.

farewell tour

as i roam around, and make the rounds of saying fare thee well to my old haunts of lower manahattan, it strikes me that not as many people drink their lunch anymore......that's a shame....where did all the good day drinkers go.....even last week I had lunch with K-Mac in suspenders and he was having a diet coke.......says he's too busy to knock back a few at lunch and still be productive when he gets back to the office...........and I said "SO" ??

anyway I thought it might be nice to logintheblog all the establishments I feel a yearning to say goodbye to as I move across the Hudson the real JC.

I'll start with today's stop......if that makes any sense.

Nebraska Steak House on Stone Street:

not a big fan, never really went there much while it has been called Nebraska....$5.00 Coors Light Bottle part of the reason. ......although today there were a bevy of buxom bartenders, but that is not why I stopped there........I went there for the memories that were created under the previous owner/title.....this used to be Cassidy's Liquid Asetts.....a lot of cold beer was inhaled over the years standing by the upstairs bar with the window looking down on Stone Street.

another example of double standards

as if the differences in jailhouse treatment of Paris H as opposed to Dan Q Public aka Paris W were not enough .........comes word out of Bayridge that our own little heart patient was ordered back to the dump ( or behind the truck as it were) ...............are the unions loosing their strength? are union bosses selling out their brethren and lining their own pockets? NYPD starting salary 25K ?? who signed that contract ? Triple bypass patient ordered back to work in 100 degree heat and humidity ?? where is the union outcry ? what is wrong with this country ?

Messier the Great Strikes again

It took 4 patient days of sitting in the basement, 4 restless nights with very little sleep, 4 long days of sniffing the garage door and pacing the Floors, but hard work has once again paid off for the Great Hunter of Monmouth County..........at 4:37 a.m. this morning, Messier the great came up from the basement with her trophy Mouse in her mouth and triumphantly dropped itat the feet of her meal provider ( Val). As she has stated so many times in the past , Messiers Motto was and still is " they'll be no mouses in my houses".................the exterminator baton has been passed back to Grave.........Gravey ...your on the clock.......it's time for a kill to answer your compadre........and don't you dare take the easy road and go fishing........your adoring public demands something of substance.........Congrats again Mess.....Keep up the great work !!!

UPDATES !!

first time visitors looking for salaciuos gossip about my good friend Dano can go elsewhere.....just like in war time...."loose lips , sink ships".....................slow news day in LBI ??

Paris Hilton

why do celebrities like Paris Hilton get whisked out of jail, while friends of mine are forced to rot away for over 22 hours in a holding Cell.........No Justice ...No peace pipes............I am going to start waring a "Free Dante" button on my lapel........

page 12

Little blip on page 12 of the Post today.....Thank God it's nothing important.

June 19, 2007 -- Teams of al Qaeda-trained suicide bombers were dispatched to the United States and Europe from an Afghan camp 10 days ago, ABC News reported last night.
About 300 would-be bombers - including boys as young as 12 - were ordered to carry out attacks in Britain, Canada, Germany and the United States, the report said.
A Pakistani journalist invited to attend the camp took pictures of a Taliban commander congratulating graduates on June 9, ABC News said.
"These Americans, Canadians, British and Germans come here to Afghanistan from faraway places. Why shouldn't we go after them?" the commander, Mansoor Dadullah - whose brother was killed by U.S. forces last month - can be heard saying on tape.
U.S. intelligence officials dismissed the graduation ceremony as "aggressive and sophisticated propaganda." But Richard Clarke, a former counterterror expert in the Clinton and Bush White Houses, said the threat should be taken seriously.
"It doesn't take too many who are willing . . . and able to slip through . . . to the United States or England [to] cause a lot of damage," he said.
More than 100 people have been killed in three days of clashes between NATO and the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, Afghan officials said.

Flag Day

13 years ago this evening, in the wrold's most famous arena, in the heart of the city that never sleeps, The NEW Messiah delivered what so many others before him could not. The GREAT Mark Messier quenched a 54 year thirst and ensured that the Ranger faithfuls' Stanley Cup runneth over. Every member of that team immediately crossed over into "my" Hall of Fame. Nothing they ever do in the future would diminish that accomplishment. Alex, Leetchie, Graves, RICHTER !!, Mattieu Mattieu , BooooooK, Larmer, Mctavish, Noonan, Zubov, Nemchinov, Tiik, eddie O , etc etc .......forever immortalized and linked to that moment. Soon the Garden will be torn down, and as Neil Young says, time fades away, but that night will indeed last a lifetime Mr Rosen. and I for one will never fail to acknowledge its passing..........LETS GO RANGERS.....

X men

in case you were not included on the email, I have attached a copy below....yesterday was the anniversary of the Xaverian Track Team 1971 CITY Championship. Had i realized this yesterday, I surely would have stayed in brannigans for one extra beer and raised a glass to this accomplishment. Having run for Xaverian myself, and seen first hand the fierce competition of NY High school track, I can appreciate what a tremendous effort this took from every memeber of that team.......Congratulations.....don't ever let the date pass without acknowledgement.............ps...i watched the redsox game in scores with Arods Busty friend, and she said it ain't over until cynthia "the fat lady" rodriguez sings.

33 years ago today...on a rainy Saturday morning in the Bronx - lightening strikes, as the mighty Molloy Stanners (from Queens!) were dethroned by the scrappy (not to mention superbly coached) Clippers from Brooklyn (birthplace of civilization)!

Xaverian High School becomes Track and Field New York City Champs!!!!

One of the greatest upsets in the history of sports!

I'm heading out in 15 minutes for a 3 mile loop to the train station...and while even a measly 3 miles is a challenge now, I think about what happened 33 years ago - every day I run - and that helps me finish my workouts.

I sometimes wonder - was it a dream? Did it really happen? How did we ever win? Talk about comebacks!

PS - beers at 6pm...Yanks at 7pm...I sent this e-mail to Torre too...as Yogi says, it ain't over until it's over. We sure proved that saying is true.

Rampants Revenge

The New Sweater Night Ramblers kicked off the summer session with a crisp set of the good old Grateful Dead, Bob birthday boy Dylan, the Band and dare I say Jimmy all u can eat Buffett. A feel of a Teddy No Kegs reunion was in the air, familiar faces both near and far dropped by the Pippins watering hole on this night.....a grand night indeed and a wonderful start to summer 2007.....Good Jobs lad, you are rehired as the house band for SNX 'the gala"..........now hit the books and find some more tunes for the lovely Shiela....aka Scarlett Rivera to excel ...........how about digging up some Donna Godchaux tunes for her.....

the New Sweater Nite Ramblers are Coming

b there or b a turnip !!!
The New Sweater Night Ramblers make their triumphant r return to Pippins Pub on Thursday May 24th in the borough of churches and bars. I pick Shakedown Street in the Opener Pool.....Dano picks new potato caboose, Donzo picks Jack Straw.......qudalibo for tenderfeet picks "Alligator".....rumor has it that JC has been knwon the pop on this blog from time to time......Johhny ...if your reading this......open with Shakedown street and I'll buy you a cold one.......will be dining in the Kettle Black approx 6:00 if anyone is around.......CHOW.

the older generation....and nashville cats

and so I sit watching the NHL playoffs and and realize "once again" that IT will never end.....it being the endless ties and reminders to that horrific day.......the Deadwings are playing the Ducks .....and who should be in nets for the DUCKS but "John Sebastian Giguere".......and so where did I first come in contact with this goaltender? well I suppose I may be cursed with too good a memory......I was in my normal seat in section 419 of the blues with Donnie Hoff watchin the Blueshirts tangle with the Hartford Whalers...Shane Churla was playin despite a badly injured eye......after 1 period , our good friend Dan Woods invited us down to redline seats, 10 rows off the ice compliments of his company. We of course followed, and on our way to the escalators we ran into COOP, John Cooper a Musketeers regular and diehard Rangers fan and convinced him to come with us.. .....Dano introduced us to his work Buddy "John Farrell" an immediate great guy....the 5 of us hit it hard for the remainder of the game....laughing and drinking.......I recited every "loovin Spoonful" lyric I could remember to taunt Mr. Giguere.......months later me, donn, dano & Farrell all attended a Bob Dylan and Van Morrison concert at the old Felt Forum.......we filtered into the "play by play" club to watch St Franciss battle LIU in the NEC playoffs........my heart sunk when I learned that Joh Farrell & John Cooper passed away that horrible day.....another good man done gone.....and I can't speak for anyone but Tom O'Dowd.....but I will never forget John Farrell or Coop or  the multitude of others I remember daily.....GOD BLESS....remember the fun times if possible.

tryin to reason with Hurricane Season

alas the muy ballyhooed hurricane season of 2007 is upon us, below is the National Weather forecast names for the upcoming storms...I predict Ingrid or Olga will do the most damage...but who knows...it could be Dean or Jerry or Sweet Melissa for all we know.....pick your favorite storm and lets start drinking already....there is nothing like puttin a Hurricane Bag on.....right Dano?.........I am going to start directing all the posts towards Dano, as he seems to be the only person that reads my blog religously.


Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dean
Erin
Felix
Gabrielle
Humberto
Ingrid
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Noel
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van

simpler ideals

taking my advice from the NY Posts horoscope, I have adjusted my ideals........today's goal is drink a six pack on the train before I get home.....with a little concentration, less chatter and healthy thirst....I think I can finish all 6 beers before we reach Lil Silver.

May 10, 2007 -- The reason your efforts have fallen short of your ideals is because you have set your ideals way too high. You are human like everyone else and humans have limits and make mistakes - it is part of our nature. Set yourself some new ideals over the next 24 hours, and this time make them ones you can reach.

NAVY 2007 Schedule

2007-2008 SCHEDULE
( Click on an event for complete event information )
Date Opponent / Event Location Time/Result

08/31/07 at Temple Philadelphia, Pa. 7:30 p.m.

09/07/07 at Rutgers Piscataway, N.J. 7:00 p.m.

09/15/07 vs. Ball State Annapolis, Md. 5:00 p.m.

09/22/07 vs. Duke Annapolis, Md. 1:00 p.m.

09/29/07 vs. Air Force Annapolis, Md. 1:00 p.m.

10/10/07 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pa. 8:00 p.m.

10/20/07 vs. Wake Forest Annapolis, Md. 1:00 p.m.

10/27/07 vs. Delaware Annapolis, Md. 1:00 p.m.

11/03/07 at Notre Dame South Bend, Ind. 2:30 p.m.

11/10/07 at North Texas Denton, Texas TBA

11/17/07 vs. Northern Illinois Annapolis, Md. 3:30 p.m.

12/01/07 vs. Army

arvidas

with a blast of sunshine this first Saturday in May arrived on the seen, looking so splender and so fine, goosembumps aplenty....i can hear my old Kentucky Home playing softly in the distance in the shadows of my mind...NO wait, that would be the living room stereo, and it ain't so softly after all.....Greetings friend and foe , and welcome to this saturnalian event that will be sure to please....AHHHH the Kentucky Derby , not even a Ranger heartbreaker last night can dampen the enthusiasm we share this day......20 beautiful beasts will take to the mud track in hopes of exchanging three years of workouts and folly for certian immortality. Owners awoke this day saying "I am who they say I am " I have arrived...I have a horse in the derby. Trainers....up even before yours truly , put away the watches and resolve themselves to idle chatter and strategy with the Jocks....Jockeys awoke this morning in cathouses screaming apprenden le gusta and other foreign nonsense that nobody but Eiber Coa could ever understand........and the gambler (Kenny Rogers) ....well how did you awake? I awoke to steak and eggs, a mimosa, I put out the backyard Flags, Old Glory and the US Navy Flag, cranked up the stereo, brewed another cup of cofee for the road...for it's off to Spring Lake, the IRISH Riviera, for some divine intervention as I ponder and ponder some more........never read so many papers as this past week....lots of dope, but nothing , and I mean nothing has forced me to waver from my genesis.....There is No Biz like Sho Biz........for this Cowtown Cat.......all the liquidity and street sense tells me so...I don't want to Bwanna Bull you , and the weather pundits may call for a Storm in May, but I would be hard spun or just a wild and crazy guy to change my picks...it is true that on any given saturday etc etc , but you can put take your zanjero and go to lunch in teuflesberg with Mr Sedgefield and your Dominacan waiter...this Great Hunter has to Scat Daddy , before we go round in a circular quay while Sam p is playin a match of curlin........you try fitting Stormello into this jargon and I give you one of Edgar Prados Tiago's...........

rise and shine this gloriuos first saturday in May

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home
'Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom,
While the birds make music all the day;
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy, and bright,
By'n by hard times comes a-knocking at the door,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

Chorus

Weep no more, my lady,Oh weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,
For the old Kentucky home far away.

They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by that old cabin door;
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,With sorrow where all was delight;
The time has come when the people have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!
Chorus

The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the people may go;
A few more days and the trouble all will end
In the field where sugar-canes may grow;
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light,
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!

Chorus

fireworks brewing for pisces

WOW...below is the horoscope for Pisces...Friday May 4th.......now we just need to figure out whom is plotting your demise Ceaser !! notable pisceans are Donny, PG , Cogs, Uh dude, Pam , Steve Mc and yours truly..........hmmmmm!!



May 4, 2007 -- Pisces may not be the most open of signs but once someone has earned your trust you give it with no questions asked. Unfortunately, the planets warn that a so-called friend has been plotting against you and today you will find out who they are. Banish them from your life with no regrets. Forgiveness is overrated.

not so easy money

Your best bet at making a mint on the Kentucky Derby is to play the superfecta. While it's not easy to pick the top four winners in order, the 2005 'super' paid $1,728,507 -- that's more than Giacomo's owners received for winning the race!

5246 would be a great superfecta for a guy born on May 24, 1966 .

early retirement

Oh It's Good to be back home again J.Denver

What a gloriuos week to be alive on the planet….Metsies in first , Yanks in last. The beloved BlueshirtsAre Marching, Marching, Marching like a well oiled infantry towards the Stanley Cup …….ANDIt is DERBY Week…….every morn a new story , a new blip, a workout time,. A human interest angle, A colorful Jockey, Trainer , Owner….all of the above………
different exactas to consider…Stromello with Storm in May,
Street Sense with Liquidity, Cowtown Cat with Scat Daddy,
Tuefelsberg with Sedgefield….endles possibilities
Multiple Pletcher combos……all pletcher horsies in an exacta , trifecta box,
favorites, longshots, great names, etc etc.
And after they draw the posts you can look at the birthday , anniversaries, addresses, etc etc ………3/2 ex , 3265 super, 8/7 ex, 3/9 ex, 8,7,3,10 super…..
oh the places we could go , if we ever we hit that longshot superfectah…

If your heart doesn't skip a beat, if the hair on your next doesn't stand up, if a tear doesn’t well in your eyes when they play "My Old Kentucky Home' ,

then get to a clinic, because you may already be dead.

BARBARO

Thanks for all the wellwishers who phoned and texted messages regarding the Barbaro Documentary......due to the double OT Ranger thriller, it was postponed until this Friday Night on NBC........on a side not note , the correct pronunciation is bar-bur-ro .....not bar-BEAR-O .....but thanks just the same....

I spent Sunday burning up the phones lines, and after discussing the situation with the SNX Executive commitee , I have decided to dump Chaz Higgins as the Head Linesmen........3 strikes and your out......first he is a Bruins Fan, B ) he skipped SN8 because he was attending a sweet 16 party in "Is-Datten-Island" ??, and lastly .....he argued against Margie Z being permitted to attend the Gala that shall be SNX. As stated a plethora of times in the past, Margaret is the only female with a standing invite.......Chazzies attempt the dethrone the Queen was uncalled for....

trader or traitor

there is a mole amongst us....a trader to the cause.......eagle eye Nolan spotted one of our flock cavorting with the Excomunicated you know who at Shea Stadium this past Wednesday afternoon............sacre bleu~ .....say it ain't so. This Benedict Arnold will remain nameless for now......but henceforth we will be adopting a secret code amongst the loyal skaters to communicate....The Walls have Ears !! Loose lips sinks Gala Ships....ichsnay attaway lumpeeeayyy.

on a side note......this Sunday at 5:00 on NBC , there is going to be a documentary on our beloved Barbaro......It sounds like it will be a keeper for true Horse Racing Fans....and AMERICANS.

40 songs that changed the world

Rolling Stone recently listed the 40 songs that changed the world......of course it was hogwash....i could write all day about songs that were omitted ( fixin to die rag, and Ohio come to mind) , but i would rather focus on one song, and how that song changed my life. I can vividly remember sitting on the park benches on the Hockey court at Shore Road and 79th street.....it was a beautiful spring day, us rugrats were out in droves down at the park....no beer yet, but soon, probably circa 75.......there was a radio playin on the next bench....dooom da dooomp.....it started...."Sugar Magnolia , Blossoms Blloming" ...."Heads all empty and I don't care" .....my GOD what was this sound.....I was 10 years old, and now I was HOOKED......I moved closer to the radio, listened intently, and the very next day walked to the "hole in the Wall" record store on 86th street to pick up American Beauty.....my LIFE began that Day....it was the single most defining moment of my childhood, it would drastically change my future, that day outlined and shaped the rest of my life. 32 years later the hair still stands up on the back of my neck when I hear that Song.....for the rest of my life, the Grateful Dead would serve as my soundtrack.....to High School, St Franks', the Navy, Wall Street, Marriage, Little Silver, the WTC and beyond....I took the DEAD with me, and they took me along for the ride. If you get it, then you got it....if not , it must seem strange. The people I met along the way influenced me, and I am sure I influenced a slew myself. They turned me on to Kerouac and I did my best to spread the word. In the Heyday the phrase "we are everywhere" said it all....because we WERE..........I am not surprised we were omitted from the Rolling Stone Poll, but fret not.....cause once and a while you can get shone the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.....

Sometimes when the cuckoo's crying
When the moon is halfway down
Sometimes when the night is dying
I take me out and I wander round
I wander round..........^$&*^(*&^()*&)

round two

Although round 1 was enjoyable, and the Rangers advancing coupled with the iceladies going golfin was sheer pleasure, the games themselves were just average.....no compelling stories, no great shocks, hopefully they are just setting the table for 4 incredible second round, knock down , drag-out brawls.........I went 7 out 8 in my first round predictions.....my only loss was Tampa.....and part of that was more wishful thinking than hockey insight....or should it be incite?

On to round 2 ......
Rangers over Sabres in 6
Ottawa over Satans in 6
Sharks over Dead Wings in 6
Anaheim over Canuckleheads in 5

The Draft is coming , the Draft is coming.........fresh off the heels of a successful Svetter Nite Nein, the KofC in Bayridge will be hosting the lads for the NFL draft this Saturday.....b there or b a turnip....

happiness is having a BLOG

Having a Blog means you always get the last word.................even while everyone else is still sleeping...........alway we needed last night was a dose of Chaz......the voice of reason in an otherwise unreasonable bar room discussion.

the great cell phone debate of brannigans

would you give an envelope with $3,000.00 cash to your 10 year old daughter? me neither, it would be like giving two loaded glocks to a South Korean exchange student......so don't treat a cellphone like a toy, learn some responsibility and take better caere of your posessions.......not every BIG Corporation is as forgiving as Patty Garry..........after all she is Irish, she doesn't even know anyone in Tanzania....

thoughts and observations

I will be very dissapointed if Mr Posluzny is still on the board and the Giants do not draft him.
I will be shocked if Nobizlikeshobiz does not run away with the Derby and the Preakness.....and quite frankly the Belmont as well.
I would rather play the sabres than the senators in round two......although I think we will dispose of either team in 6 or less.

Question.......so the Va tech shooter had mental issues.......what should have been done? should we lock up everyone who has ever been pegged for a Psych evaluation.........we could fill a jail the size of the grand canyon with all the nuts in this country......get real America.....blame the media and hollywood for glorifying these manaics, but don't be so naive that you think you prevent this and other crimes through legislation.........the time to hesitate is through....no time to wallow in the mire.........at least this took some heat off the Imus story.......

bostom marathon winners' quote

"When the lion is chasing the antelope, he doesn't look back.He has to eat," Cheruiyot said. "So when I run, I don't stare atmy time."


and who amongst us can argue with such logic..........like donnie closin in on a steak .

imus fallout

so a multi millionaire has lost his job, is that going to help Lady Scarlett Knights sleep better? Are rappers going to clean up their lyrics and begin showering females with respect? Is cbs radio going to go shopping for kinder , gentler morning DJ ? Is white america going to stop using the N word ? 4 big NO's!!!

But there is a lesson to be learned, when hiring or promoting , things that happen everyday in the real word, a ----- is more trouble than they can ever be worth. Irish, Italians, Jews, Asains, even Poles ( see Craig) will assimilate and become part of the team eventually....they will be more likely to roll with punches, exchange digs and maintain their sense of humor.......but our brothers and sisters of colour will run to HR to get you fired........fact

nittany v irish

Dano,

what is the latest on the ND- Penn State road trip ? what's the head count?

Derby Prediction

"No Biz like Shobiz" is a Beast..........can't see anyone at the moment that can stay with him........pre derby luncheon at Gallaghers on Tuesday May 1st.....I am booking a table if anyone is interested.

Thursday much be garbage day

Because the Rangers are set to take out the TRASH(ers). Praise the Lord, The Stanley Cup Playoffs are Back.......AHHHH, like the first day of spring, The Next 8 weeks promise to be filled with chatter about Hokcey, Hockey and more Hockey........beisbol gets put on hold, basketball takes a back seat, and all other nonsense falls by the wayside........This is the REAL tourney.....Hard hitting, Ivory colored action......get your season ticket to the Steak Exchange for the next two months...........First round predictions in the East.....Rangers in 6 , Tampa in 6 , Buffalo in 3.....isles forced to forfiet game 4 .....arena being used for rodeo.....who knew?, Ottowa in 7 ................out west ? haven't really followed the west , but here goes....Detroit in 6 , Anaheim in 7 , Vancouver in 6 , San Jose in 5...........lace up, gear up, drink up.......drop that puck.

memories

Wow ....what an exciting NCAA title game.....I'll never forget the excitement I felt when I turned on ESPN 2 at 3:30 a.m. to see the final score in the lower righthand corner of the screen under breaking news. these are the kind of memories that last a lifetime........Midnight on a Monday almost rivals a baseball season opener on a Sunday night.......how exciting...........why do we even bother?

NAVY

God help the Mullahs if the United States Navy is unleashed in the current hostage crisis in iran. We have been on the sidelines during the Iraq occupation, we are chomping at the bit to get into the fray. The time has come to reduce iran to rubble. The Dems are waving white flags and insisting on announcing to the enemy that if they were in charge we would have already surrendered. I hope the voting public remembers this come the 08 election. Someday , somewhere in the world , some piece of shiite will be encouraged to perservere because the Americans are on the verge of surrender.....disgusting, shameful, embarassing. Take iran out of the equation today , and you will see how peaceful things will become in iraq. allow this stool ahmadinejad to stay in power and we will truly have a World War on our hands before 2010.

Oh yeah.....if lundquist keeps playing like he has, the Rangers will win the CUP.....this is a hockey website you know...

FYI.......anybody know anything about Whitaker Securities ? i'm hearing tales through the grapevine.

snix recap

Cross the ocean to some distant land
We'll reach the end,
we'll all be singin' and we'll all be friends
Back where it all begins

D. Betts



With a thundering base chord and the pounding of the Drums, The New Sweater Night Ramblers punctuated SNIX’s Extrication from the vice grip hold of 11220. Welcome back to 11209. ( I do not want to restart that drinking debate…as some of us have been talking about the same things for over 20 years now) After a 1500 odd day stay, and some of those days were very odd, The Swetaer Night Family began it’s matriculation down fifth Avenue in a Baton Death March like journey to the VZ Bridge. Yes, there may be additional stops along the way , but the Trickle to Monmouth County is gaining the momentum of a Tsunami….it is inevitable that Sweater Night will some day call the Garden State “HOME”.

A tip of the hat to Johnny News and the lads of this K of C local, They serviced our libation needs in a friendly and economically pleasing way. Early reports stated that we topped out at approx 35 skaters, and never more than a 10 second wait on your refill…..


Sweater Nite 9 got off to a slow start as each skater was asked to supply a saliva sample for a DNA test in the Danielle Lynn Smith paternity sweepstakes……last year we took a shot at mega millions, this year we tried the Bahamas Lotto. Once our brothers of the Talmud from Rabinowitz, Rabinowitz and Rabinowitz finished with the legal proceedings, the party started to jump.


It was hard to tell if it was Sweater Night 9 , or a ST. Regis alumni gathering. One lucky skater won an official ST. Regis dilploma in the 50/50 raffle. Sad to say that same diploma was spotted on ebay selling for $49.99 …….one more sign that the value of a good , honest education is dropping in this country.


On a bizarre note, the Port Authority Police stopped you know who in his White Ford Bronco as he tried to cross the Goethals Bridge at 7:00 P.M on 2/16. It seems Raj was wearing a wig, trench coat and diapers…. and carrying pepper spray, a BB gun and directions to the Knights of Columbus. Strange Indeed…..one can only wonder what type of horror would have unfolded if he was not apprehended. Ironically he was busted because he was going through the EZ Pass lane, but he had a doctored, empty can of Busch Beer taped to his windshield where his Pass should have resided……always trying to save a buck I guess. When word of his shocking demise reached headquarters of his knotzee bank, their official response was …..”Baby? What is dis Baby ? Da fuhrer never said Baby!! “ authorities were further confounded by this.

Police were flooding the local roadways after a report out of Philadelphia that Coach Reid and his Boys were out for a joy ride……..Bags of Smack aplenty ….pointing pistols…, causing accidents and making terroristic threats…..just another Friday in the city of “brotherly” love…..Darryl Dawkins would be proud…….Andy Reid is expected to meet with the Flyers organization to discuss Bobby Clarke’s vacancy after his leave of absence from the Eagles expires.


Until he extends the circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.,,,,,,,,,Albert Schweitzer


It is with an exrtremely heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of a True Champion by the name of Barbaro. Horse racing scribes from coast to coast told similar tales of the “magic spell” this horse had over the country. In the first week after his surgery the U of Penn website received over 1.5 million get well email wishes. My horse racing heart and my love of the sport was taken from me on third Saturday in May 2006….I will still go to the track, and I will still make my donations at the window, but I doubt I will ever feel the passion I use to hold for the equine races. We may someday see another Triple Crown winner, we may someday see the track records of Secretariat fall, but we will never see the nation captivated the way we were with BARBARO………..may he rest in peace. Below is an excerpt from a column that Ray Kerrison penned for the NY post.


My most vivid memory of Barbaro was not at the Derby, but a few days before the Preakness. We had all gone to Fair Hill in Maryland, where he was being trained by Michael Matz, to see him gallop around the wood-chip track.Matz then turned him out in a circular grass pen near the barn. Barbaro promptly dropped to the ground, rolled over on his back, and kicked his legs in the air, luxuriating in the sheer joy of the exercise. He reminded me of a little boy paddling and splashing at the beach.Who could have believed that within a matter of hours, this same Barbaro would be fighting for his life, the bones of his right hind hoof shattered in three places, after galloping less than a furlong out of the starting gate in the Preakness?

I truly hope my sweater night brethren felt compassion when they learned of his passing.

Although it appears quite likely that President Bush will pardon Scooter Libby before he leaves office ( and rightfully so ) , Sweater Night fans need not worry…..the CIC does not have the authority to pardon Roger, the dudester will serve out eternity on the forever banned list for crimes committed against hockey humanity….the butcher of Butter Scotch Plains will never again see the light of Sweater Night Day ………..Sweater Night Day? That can’t be right
As for the Hockey end of business……once again the gang showed their collective creativity with some stunning Sweaters. Five out of the original six were in attendance…
Not surprisingly, the Hated Red Wings were the only ones missing…our good friend from Hockeytown via the Bambino Pub was a “no-show”. While a blind eye has been turned in the past, I must state early and often, that for the Gala next year….SNX , No Sweater will equate to No Admittance.

Much like the NBA All-Star festivities, Sweater Night is evolving into a weekends worth of fan friendly entertainment and activities for the whole family…..maybe not. SNIX plus 1 , awoke to the blasting of the Grateful Dead and the washing down of PBR’s at the un-official headquarters on Ovington Avenue. A few inebriated scragglers skated their way down to PC’s for a lunch of Champions and quite possibly the GREATEST Ham sandwich ever made. Slowly but surely they trickled into the home of SN2K , and settled in to watch the Broadway blueshirts battle their Philadelphia rivals. And the party did not stop there!! a few of the Garden State natives packed up the car with roadies and paid a visit to the Steak Exchange of Hazlett…….quite possibly the host for SN XIII on 4/1/2011. ( the ride home was a real snore though).

The Offices of Sweater Night were also swamped with a deluge of telegrams leading up to the big night, I would like to share some of the more interesting ones.

“ we are talking about drinking beer at a Hockey Party….Not Bombing Tokyo “ General Bob Knight

“ you can’t even bet on Hockey anymore without loosing”
Chaz Higgins , Head linesmen

“I DON'T FEEL NO WAYS TIRED from drinking at Sweater Night”
Hillary Rotten Clinton

“Dude….I don’t want to kill you, but I have to kill you “
Steve McEvoy Circa 1983 …delayed receipt

Anyway gang, if you missed it…….well it missed you right back. But fear not, for by the time you receive this letter we should be approx 330 days and counting to the Gala to end all galas ( SNX….so much more than Tibetian mineral water). Until then, please continue to drink at an accelerated pace , please check out the blog and update your home addresses from time to time…..I recd a few letters back without a forwarding address.(Rogers letter was donated to the Museum of Gullible-itis in Scotch Plains NJ.)
Enjoy the Spring …and continue to Lace Up, Gear Up , and ALWAYS.DRINK UP !!!

And a Happy Saint Patricks’s Day to one and all ……Slainte’


Thomas P O’Dowd
President & Founder

drop that puck....

after much trepidation and anticipation , sweater night has arrived on a frost covered morn. Icicles clining to every branch, hoping to outlast the skaters of brooklyn, but the Sun Gods have other plans.....soon we shall be off to Hunters to attack their supply of beef, beer and exactas......soon enough we too shall know....the hell where youth and laughter go.....lace up, gear up and for God's sake....DRINK UP!..............it's destiny before us, and history awaits us.....live hard, live fast.......

Quad to check out blog today !!!

excitement around the Sweater Night BLOG headquarters reached a fever pitch on Thursday when it was learned the Great Quadlibo of Staten Island aka Bduffy718.....would be perusin these very same pages.........we may have to sneak over to Morans with Chazzy Higgins for a few tails ...just to calm the nerves.....

where is sweater night 9 ?

the world wonders.

T minus 3 days and couting

4:00 am.m and all is well.....or is it?
no, nien, nada, nyet, ichsnay..........
one bobby van sized obstacle down.....and one to go.
siempre su nada....apprenden la gusta..........
dasdas.

lyrics of the day

a poem from WWI days....very appropo with the recent events in iraq

Siegfried Sassoon,
Suicide in the Trenches


I KNEW a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.

In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
. . . .
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.

lyrics twist

so far away,
doesn't anybody drink in one place anymore,
it would be so fine to see a case at my door,
but it doesn't help to know , that your so
far away.

caole king?

a sad farewell

this is Ray Keerison article on the passing of a True champion

January 30, 2007 -- THE long vigil is over. The painful, meticulously loving struggle to save the life of the brilliant and gallant Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has ended in heartbreak. The champ is dead.
After six months of guarded optimism leading an expectant world to believe he would pull through, Barbaro's condition suddenly deteriorated when he developed a deep sub-solar abscess in the foot of his severely damaged right leg that required emergency surgery Saturday night. Less than two days later it was all over. He was euthanized yesterday morning at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.
The bitter, crushing irony of his fate is that he died, not from the bone-cracking injuries to the right hind hoof suffered in his horrendous breakdown in the Preakness on May 20, but from complications from a disease, laminitis, that subsequently infected his perfectly sound left hind hoof and both front feet which, in turn, caused the recent abscess that struck the courageous colt last week.
It could be said of Barbaro that the operation was a success - his injured hoof was healing nicely - but the patient died. Thus ends the brief, meteoric career and promise of a racehorse that seemed destined for glory, if not immortality. Now, we will never know how good he really was. We are left only to guess what might have been.
Barbaro was a rare and special thoroughbred. The wider public knew him only for a couple of weeks leading up to the Preakness, but in that time he fired their imaginations and captured their interest as few horses ever have.
It's hard to explain the ingredients in the Barbaro phenomenon. It wasn't that he was undefeated or that he won the Derby in dashing style - we could all name a dozen Derby winner heroes.
There was something about Barbaro that horsemen and the public recognized early. For want of a better word, I call it magic. He had about him an aura. Some people have it. A few horses have it. You can't define it or describe it, but you know it when you see it.
Barbaro pulled into Churchill Downs at the end of April to contest the Kentucky Derby with an unblemished racing record, always a big attention-grabber in the racing business. He had won all of his five starts, the last a hard-fought victory in the Florida Derby.

A good record, but not earth-shattering. Around the barns in the days leading up to the Derby, Barbaro suddenly emerged as the star of the show. People spoke of him in hushed tones. Here, they dared to suggest, was a Triple Crown winner. We all got the message. On Derby eve, I described him as a colt "of such soaring potential, he could be the new Seattle Slew."
Barbaro did not win the Derby. He blitzed it, thundering to the wire so far ahead of the field with such a flourish that the spectacle seemed surreal. He was simply sensational. Overnight, he was the talk of the world.
My most vivid memory of Barbaro was not at the Derby, but a few days before the Preakness. We had all gone to Fair Hill in Maryland, where he was being trained by Michael Matz, to see him gallop around the wood-chip track.
Matz then turned him out in a circular grass pen near the barn. Barbaro promptly dropped to the ground, rolled over on his back, and kicked his legs in the air, luxuriating in the sheer joy of the exercise. He reminded me of a little boy paddling and splashing at the beach.
Who could have believed that within a matter of hours, this same Barbaro would be fighting for his life, the bones of his right hind hoof shattered in three places, after galloping less than a furlong out of the starting gate in the Preakness?
The memory of that day, even now, is almost too stressful to contemplate. The sight of Barbaro flailing in his torment, the rush of trackmen to his side, jockey Edgar Prado embracing a stranger in his distress, the horse ambulance, the siren-blasting dash to the veterinary hospital in Pennsylvania, the medical bulletins, but most of all, the hope, the fervent hope that somehow Barbaro would beat the odds.
It was not to be. Even as his crumbled right leg healed beautifully during his early recovery and before his latest setback over the weekend, he contracted the deadly laminitis in his good left hoof. Dr. Dean Richardson, chief of surgery at the New Bolton Center, had no choice but to put him down.
Life's a mystery. Barbaro's trainer, Michael Matz, and his wife, Dorothy, were involved in a horrendous air crash in Iowa in 1989, when 112 passengers perished. The Matzes rescued three children from the smoking inferno and walked away with hardly a scratch.
But Barbaro took just one bad step on the racetrack and paid for it with his life. Leave it to the philosophers to explain. All we know is that Barbaro was a distinguished horse in every way - in breeding, talent, performance, demeanor. He was calm in surgery, patient under adversity, gallant in the fight for his life.
His passing has made the racing world a very sad place.

barbaro

I do not expect anyone to understand why this matters so much to me, but it does. It was with a painfully heavy heart that I learned that the beautiful champion that was Barbaro was euthanized earlier this morning. That Horse showed more life in the final strecth of the KY Derby than some people do in a lifetime……and despite all of his surgeries over the past 8 months, he was still fighting. He never gave up, his owners did out of compassion.
Maybe I am drawing comparisons to my own life, maybe I saw something in this horse that struck a nerve, maybe I foresaw what was to come when he went down at the Preakness. Barbaro was hurt approx the same time my mom started showing signs of her illness, they battled together, they had ups and downs , side by side, and now Babaro is gone. My Mother was a horseplayer, she frequented the track her whole life, from Belmont to Monmouth. she thrived on Derby Day and proudly wore her Bonnets and dressed to the 9's....even for a back yard Party. I hope she lives to see the derby this year, but if she does not , she may very well have seen the last great Champion of our lifetime........I know I will never become this attached to a horse again.
Don't take my word for it, log on to U Penn website and read some of the hundreds of thousands emails that people sent to the Horse.
http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro.htm

who is scarier

The KING of burger KIng or Ronald Mcdonald..........that topic was narrowly adverted for the time being on Sunday in the boat House.........on one side you have this guy with a white porcelin face and stupid grin.......In the other corner you have a scarry clown with white Make up and orange hair.......and don't forget the hamburglar...........this debate can be revived on Sweater Nite.....hours of fun lie ahead.

a glimmer of hope

well well well...just when I thought I was typing away for nothing.....that my interesting blog was being viewed by nobody......that my lyric analaysis was drifting in cyber space and falling on deaf ears......THEY slipped up. ......on Sunday it was leaked that someone saw my SNIX letter on the blog....ALAS I now KNOW you are reading......this changes everything........the blog machine is back in business.........

SNIX is coming

“Number Nien, Number Nine, Number Nine”


With Great Fanfare Sweater Night prepares to turn 9, No, Nien, Nada, Nyet, Ichsnay. Excitement is at a fever pitch in and about the Borough of Churches. The Knights of Columbus cracks the starting lineup this year as a “long time fan, first time host”. For those of you keeping score at home this is the 6th venue to host an event . Competition to host is fierce, like cities of America vying for the right to host a Superbowl. Untold hundreds of dollars will surely flow into the local economy. “Livertog Flumebeedoo and his amazing gefeltah Fish” are slated to perform live that Nite as the Macaddottes have been unceremoniously dumped as house band.

Sad to say we lost one of our sweater nite attendees this past year. There will be a moment of silence this year to be dubbed "RR" ( remembering Roger) The "you know who" lost his battle with gullible-itis this past year, and although his humorless corpse still walks the land , he is no longer welcome at our gatherings. John Duffy will be working the door with his Dude sympathizer wand to identify any spies and block their entrance too. Rog , or was it Raj , suffered for many years with his St Anselms induced inferiority complex, mainly because his parish was too afraid to compete against the other Catholic Schools in South Brooklyn, that being OLA, OLPH and occasionally St Pat's.. Truth be told most Bayridgeites thought St Anselms was a Church without a school or a retirement home for the elderly. For the benefit of those of you who do not remember Rog ( and probably most of you don't) he was a Bush loving ( the beer not the President….his politics were always a question mark) Nike wearing Fool. Honorary Vice President of the Jeff Spicolli fan Club…..he took his nickname from the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High….before that his nickname was "Rusty" because of his LOVE of Rusty Staub. He was , and I am sure he still is "notoriously" cheap. He still has not paid for his Hotel room at the Final Four in 1988. He was known to overcharge people for ICE at a tailgate party, even though he emptied out the ice trays from his parents freezer. He always bought the cheapest beer that the deli had for sale, which we all did, but he did not have the Pride or Courage to then drink Cheap Beer with a smile…..instead he cowered in the shadows of Moon Man Park, or worse, drank other people's premium beers. In any event , in the newfound spirit of kindness and forgiveness that the Knights and SNIX both share, we will take a moment and reflect on his passing.

Sweater Knight 9 , or Svetter Nite Nein, or SNIX, or whatever you prefer to call it will be held on Friday the 16th of FeBREWary at the Knights (who so recently said NI) of Columbus hall at 8122 5th ave in beloved Bayridge Brooklyn, or Yellow Hook or Broken land as the Dutch used to refer to her. The pregame skate starts about 5:30 in PC’s Pub ( 7259 5th ave ) just a stones throw from the Knights. The Gala itself should kickoff at 8:00 p.m.The requirements stay the same, bring a Jersey and your thirst. As an added wrinkle this year, there will be a day after brunch at PC’s pub for the 1:00 faceoff between our cherished Rangers and the woeful Philadelphia frequent fliers on Saturday 2/17. Craig Paz has agreed to put out a warm buffet during the game. In closing I hope this letter finds you in an inebriated state , or at least well on your way , depending on when your mail is delivered. Feel free to spread the word as all are welcome with the exception of you know who. Until the Puck drops, lace up , Gear and for the Popes sake DRINK UP !! …..don’t forgot to log on to the Official Sweater Night blog at
http://sn2k.blogspot.com



Thomas P O’Dowd
President & Founder